Newsletter

Georgia notes decline in hospital patient infections

ATLANTA | A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Georgia hospitals are making progress in lowering the number of patient infections, but the state's infection rates are falling at a slower pace than the national average.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday that the report found a 17 percent drop in surgical site infections during colon operations between 2008 and 2012, compared with a national decline of 20 percent.

The CDC also found that certain bloodstream infections involving tubes inserted into the neck or chest decreased 33 percent in the same time period, compared with a 44 percent decline nationally.

The CDC also noted an 11 percent decrease in infections linked to abdominal operations, compared with a 13 percent drop nationally.